The truth of the sale isn’t quite that easy, since the November listing was the 2nd official MLS stint for this home. In September of 2011, the spectacular 11,500 square foot neoclassical mansion listed at $20 million. With no takers, its price came down, and down, and then it went off the market. A year later, 2020 Jackson came back at $14.9 million, to a different market with luxury properties enjoying a comeback in the Bay Area. And now, it has finally sold. (Incidentally, CurbedSF reports that it sold in 2004 for $15 million.)

The grand details

Designed by Julius Krafft and built in 1902, the mansion offers 4 levels of luxury, some it slightly redundant, but that’s probably not something people worry about at this price point: entertainment rooms and living rooms and media rooms; main and catering kitchen; pool room; 5 bedrooms with dressing rooms and baths; an au pair suite; wine cellar; roof top dining; and 7 fireplaces- all this just a short stroll from Pacific Heights’ own glorious Lafayette Park.

The new owner will enjoy spectacular views and historic architecture, and, even if he or she paid cash, over $100K in taxes a year. But again, at this price point, such concerns are a non-issue. So what do you say, readers? At $12,75 million, did the buyer of the Hellman mansion get a steal?

Anna Marie Erwert writes from both the renter and new buyer perspective, having (finally) achieved both statuses. She focuses on national real estate trends, specializing in the San Francisco Bay Area and Pacific Northwest, and writes for SFGate and CurbedSF. Follow Anna on Twitter: @AnnaMarieErwert